GUWAHATI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) said the State government plans to invest in a “constellation of satellites” to track illegal migrants, drug dealers, and wildlife, other than collecting real time data on vital sectors.
The Assam government intends to put in space at least five small State-specific satellites, each costing about ₹70 crore. These would be launched in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation, and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre of the Centre’s Department of Science, he told the 126-member Assembly during a discussion of the Budget.
“These satellites will help us monitor floods and other disasters in real-time, conduct surveillance to track illegal migrants, drug dealers, and wildlife in the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the satellites would also help the State government develop sectors such as agriculture, road network, and education, apart from providing students a research opportunity.
Dismissing naysayers, Mr. Sarma said the State government has been negotiating with the agencies concerned for the Assam-specific satellites for round-the-year data and image collection.
On Monday (March 10, 2025), the State’s Finance Minister Ajanta Neog said Assam would set up ‘Assamsat’ to ensure a continuous and reliable flow of data to implement critical socio-economic projects.
The Budget also proposed that the government would encourage the setting up of high-tech agriculture hubs in 100 selected villages where AI and drones would help farmers make data-driven decisions, improve yields, and enhance sustainability.
In 2021, the Indian space industry was opened to the private sector and startups primarily to build small satellites and launch them cheaply into orbit instead of challenging global heavyweights.
Experts have forecast that about 26,100 small satellites weighing less than 500 kg each will be put in orbit by 2032, making the satellite industry worth $110.5 billion within a decade.
India has about 2% of the market share in commercial space activities. Indian space companies saw an influx of funding — $126 million in 2023, an increase of 235% from the $37.6 million raised in 2021.
